Chapter 86: A Contract with the Mad Hatter

Alice quickly offered her reply. “Well, helping them stems from the spirit of our contract. They helped me fulfill my wish for revenge, so naturally, I will uphold my end of the bargain. As for joining the Tea Party, it’s because I find your ideals intriguing. And joining the Abyss Church? I suppose that was the guidance of a prophecy.”

But the Mad Hatter shook his head. “You misunderstand my meaning. While becoming a witch was a choice born of necessity, all the subsequent decisions you’ve made have undeniably pushed you, little by little, to stand against this nation. They’ve burdened you with greater risks of death. Aiding witches in restoring their kingdom and joining a secret society like ours is no laughing matter. Since you’re also concerned about ending up on a pyre, I assume you value your life.”

“I believe that without some deep-seated motivation, one wouldn’t go to such lengths. Let me be blunt: do you harbor animosity toward this country?”

Alice paused, momentarily stunned.

Upon reflection, her decision to help Isola and her people reclaim their kingdom couldn’t have been solely because Isola and the Duchess offered to aid her revenge. Ultimately, she had already formed a bias in her heart.

Her internal scales tipped not toward the Empire, but toward Isola and those who had lost their nation and lives due to the Empire’s invasion.

Just as on that day in the rabbit hole dungeon, her choice to help Isola wasn’t merely her only option. She despised the Inquisitor who tormented her and sympathized with the Blood Red Queen, bound and awaiting execution, having already taken her stand internally.

When she heard the Mad Hatter speak of the Tea Party’s ideals, her heart stirred because she herself had once been one of the oppressed and exploited, exactly as he described. And it was this very nation that had oppressed and exploited her.

As for submitting to the prophecy and becoming a ‘Blessed of the Abyss,’ while part of it was a nonchalant acceptance of her new identity as a witch, her unreserved commitment to such an extent was inseparable from her long-standing critical stance toward the Church.

Indeed, the conclusion was evident.

She truly disliked this country.

In this nation, ‘he,’ a former orphan from the slums, hadn’t even possessed a formal household registration. This country had offered him little protection; instead, it had made him taste countless hardships. The suffering he had endured since childhood far exceeded merely being persecuted by Camilla at the Southwest Saint Academy.

“Yes, I don’t like it,” Alice replied truthfully. “This country constantly devours other nations and peoples. Internally, it’s also a case of man devouring man—the upper classes preying on the lower classes. I was once among those devoured. This cannibalistic world is, without a doubt, deeply flawed.”

“Then do you wish to utterly destroy this country? Like that young man who became a killer?” the Mad Hatter continued, seeing Alice’s eyes widen. He chuckled, waving a hand. “No need to be tense; we’re simply speaking openly. To be honest, I once harbored such thoughts in my youth.”

This, then, was the Mad Hatter’s true purpose in discussing this topic. Alice’s past experiences were so strikingly similar to those of that young man. The Mad Hatter worried that his student might harbor a similar darkness within her heart.

Alice, according to her own prophecy, would one day reach a high-intermediate rank on the ‘Abyss’ pathway. If she were to become a terrorist like that killer, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Alice pondered seriously.

Destroying this country would entail many things. It wouldn’t be as simple as merely dethroning the current emperor. It would mean crushing the nation’s power, shattering its culture, and rendering its people homeless.

No, if judged by the killer’s standards, it would require the annihilation of the nation and its people, meaning every Imperial citizen would have to be exterminated.

But would that truly be appropriate? After all, common Imperial citizens, like ‘himself,’ were also victims of oppression and exploitation.

Moreover, even if one empire fell, as long as the strong continued to brazenly prey on the weak, this world would remain unchanged.

As the Mad Hatter had said, ultimately, acts of revenge driven solely by hatred, and terrorism characterized by slaughter, could not alter the plight of the weak.

“My dislike for this country hasn’t reached the point of clouding my judgment,” Alice answered cautiously.

“So, you wish to change it?” the Mad Hatter asked, intrigued.

“Rather, I believe what I want to change is this world itself; destroying this country won’t achieve that. I just don’t know how to do it…” Alice mused. “Perhaps I’ve made these choices precisely to seek that answer. I’m also very curious whether the Tea Party’s ideals might be the answer I’m looking for.”

“Many have sought this answer throughout history, yet a perfect solution remains elusive. My ideals, after all, are merely an impractical hypothesis,” the Mad Hatter said with a smile. “You and I may never find that answer in our lifetimes, but perhaps we can bring the question closer to a solution.”

Alice nodded. She realized that the man before her, and the organization he led, might hold many insights worth observing and learning from.

“In truth, a ‘Devil’ of the fifth rank on the ‘Abyss’ pathway, much like an ‘Inquisitor’ of the fifth rank on the ‘Bishop’ pathway, can examine another’s soul. The focus of what they see, however, differs. So, I can tell that what you’re saying comes from your heart. You possess the desire to explore this path.”

The Mad Hatter smiled, nodding. “How gratifying. I’ve found a good student. Perhaps…”

“Perhaps?” Alice blinked.

But this time, the Mad Hatter merely smiled, not elaborating.

He watched Alice for a moment, then suddenly spoke. “Oh, by the way, if you successfully complete this mission for us, what reward do you intend to claim?”

“There’s a reward?” Alice was taken aback.

“Of course, organizational tasks must come with compensation; otherwise, who would serve the organization?” The Mad Hatter burst into laughter.

“Actually, it’s not really necessary. I personally hope that killer is caught as soon as possible.” Alice couldn’t think of a suitable reward. “If possible, you could simply continue to guide my advancement.”

“That’s one thing, this is another. The mission is the Tea Party’s, and guiding you is a matter for the Abyss Church. As a priest who spreads the doctrine and your mentor, I inherently have a responsibility to guide you.”

The Mad Hatter smiled, then mused, “How about this? Let’s make a pact. If you can successfully handle the task I’ve given you, you’ll receive a promise from me: should you ever be caught and face the pyre, I will do everything in my power to rescue you, even if it comes at a cost. How does that sound?”

“That sounds a bit ominous, doesn’t it?” Alice said with a wry smile.

“So you refuse? Very well then—” the Mad Hatter exclaimed with exaggerated speed and tone.

“No, no, this is quite good,” Alice quickly waved her hands.

Regardless, it was an extremely practical safeguard.

Of course, that was assuming the Mad Hatter would keep his word.

As if seeing through her thoughts, the Mad Hatter grinned. “Rest assured, my friend, I am the most contractual devil in this world.”

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